The History of Mount Rushmore: How Many Years Did It Take?

Mount Rushmore, that iconic American national monument carved out of a mountain in the Black Hills of South Dakota, is an awe-inspiring sight. Featuring the 60-foot faces of four U.S. presidents – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt – the monument is visited by millions of people every year. But have you ever wondered how long it took to make Mount Rushmore?

The initial plan to create a massive sculpture in the Black Hills dates back to the early 1920s. However, actual work on Mount Rushmore didn’t begin until 1927 when sculptor Gutzon Borglum and a small team of workers started the massive undertaking. The entire project took over 14 years to complete and involved carving approximately 450,000 tons of rock. While it was a significant undertaking, the result is a breathtaking tribute to four of America’s most influential presidents that now stands as one of the country’s most iconic landmarks.

The History of Mount Rushmore Construction

Mount Rushmore is one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States and a popular tourist destination. It is a mountain carved with the faces of four great American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Every year, millions of people visit this national monument, but not many know how long it took to make it. In this article, we’ll explore the history of Mount Rushmore construction and answer the question of how long did it take to make it?

Carving Begins

Mount Rushmore was first conceived by South Dakota historian Doane Robinson in the early 1920s as a way to attract tourism to the state. The sculptor Gutzon Borglum was chosen to carve the mountain, and work began in 1927.

The Workforce

At the peak of construction, the workforce on the project numbered 400 men. Most of the workers were local and came from nearby towns and reservations. The workers were divided into teams and worked on different parts of the mountain at the same time.

The Tools

The workers used a combination of dynamite, pneumatic drills, hammers, and chisels to carve the mountain. They had to work with extreme precision and accuracy, as any mistake could be costly. The tools they used were primitive compared to today’s technology, but they were efficient and got the job done.

The Presidents’ Faces

The four presidents’ faces were carved in this order: Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. Borglum chose these presidents because they embodied the birth, growth, development, and preservation of the United States.

Delays and Setbacks

Construction on Mount Rushmore was not without its delays and setbacks. There were issues with funding, legal disputes, and adverse weather conditions. In 1941, work came to a halt as the United States entered World War 2.

The Completion

Despite the setbacks, Mount Rushmore was completed in 1941, 14 years after work began. The total cost of the project was around $989,992, which is equivalent to over $17 million in today’s money.

The Legacy

Mount Rushmore is now a symbol of American pride and patriotism. It attracts over two million visitors every year, and its images can be found on everything from postcards to apparel.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mount Rushmore is a remarkable feat of engineering and artistry. It took 14 years to complete and involved hundreds of workers, primitive tools, and many setbacks along the way. Today, it is a national treasure and will continue to awe and inspire generations to come.

How Long Did It Take to Make Mount Rushmore: The Progression of the Monument

Mount Rushmore, a granite mountain carving located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, stands as a symbol of American pride and exceptionalism. The 60-foot sculpture portrays four of the country’s most prominent presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The idea to create the monument came from South Dakota historian, Doane Robinson, who hoped to attract tourism to the state. However, many people may not know the extensive timeline and efforts required to bring the project to fruition. This article delves into the story of how long it took to make Mount Rushmore and the progression of the monument’s creation process.

The Early Days and Planning Stage: 1923-1927

In 1923, Doane Robinson reached out to the renowned American sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, to propose the idea of carving a mountain sculpture in the Black Hills. After scouting multiple sites, Borglum believed that the site at Mount Rushmore had the best rock formations to begin carving. However, it was a risky choice as the rock was not pure granite. After thorough analysis, Borglum and his team began to visualize how the presidents’ faces could be carved out of the mountain. During this time, funding for the monument was also being secured.

The Carving Begins: 1927-1933

After months of planning and preparation, work on the sculpture officially began in October of 1927. The process of carving began with the use of dynamite and jackhammers to remove large sections of the mountain. Despite harsh weather conditions and dangerous working conditions, workers continued to carve for six years straight. However, it was not until 1930, three years into the project, that the first presidential face, George Washington’s, finally began to take shape.

The Completion of the Monument: 1933-1941

By 1933, all four presidential faces had taken shape, and much of the heavy lifting was complete. However, fine details and finishing touches still had to be completed. Gutzon Borglum had unfortunately passed away in March of that year, so his son Lincoln took up the monumental task of completing the project. It was not until completion in 1941 that the monument was open to the public, 14 years after the initial idea proposed by Doane Robinson.

The Cost of Making Mount Rushmore

Creating Mount Rushmore was an undoubtedly expensive project. The total cost of making the monument from start to finish was just over $989,000, which equates to almost $16 million in today’s currency. The majority of this cost was paid by the U.S. Government and private donors.

The Workforce

Over 400 workers were employed during the carving process, with most of them being miners. Many of the employees worked in extremely hazardous conditions and had to be highly skilled.

Environmental Impacts of the Monument

The construction of Mount Rushmore had to deal with the environmental impacts of water runoff, which could cause erosion and further damage. Despite this, preserving the environment was a priority throughout the project with Borglum leaving strict instructions on how his team should work.

The Challenges

The challenges of constructing Mount Rushmore were immense. The largest challenge was the unique rock formations at the site. The rock was not pure granite, which made it challenging to carve. This made it hard to get the fine details right and required extensive drilling and blasting.

The Legacy of Mount Rushmore

Today, the monument is visited by more than two million people every year, becoming a major tourist attraction in the region. Mount Rushmore is a symbol of American exceptionalism and patriotism, with its enormous granite faces carved into the mountain overlooking the surrounding park.

The Future of the Monument

Maintaining Mount Rushmore is a crucial aspect of its future. This includes cleaning, securing the site, and preserving the value that it brings. The National Park Service is tasked with this responsibility and has shown that it is more than capable of keeping this national treasure intact.

Conclusion

In summary, creating Mount Rushmore was an extensive project that required remarkable engineering techniques and hard work. Taking 14 years to complete, it stands today as a testament to American pride and patriotism, where people from all over the world can come to witness the power and beauty of humanity in its most magnificent form.

Section 3: Construction Process of Mount Rushmore

1. Designing the Monument

The idea of carving a face of an important figure in the Black Hills region came to sculptor Gutzon Borglum in 1923. He designed the monument based on his own vision, and after significant research on the history of America, he decided that the monument should depict four of the most prominent presidents of the United States.

Borglum consulted with architects and engineers to ensure that his design was feasible and that the structure would not collapse during carving. He spent over a year perfecting the design, ensuring that the level of detail would be preserved for years to come.

2. Site Preparation

Before beginning carving, Borglum and his team had to prepare the site for the monument. Workers drilled holes in the granite, and dynamite was used to blast away excess rock. The work was dangerous, and many workers suffered injuries and even death.

The workers used approximately 900,000 pounds of dynamite to blast away the rock, and in total, they removed nearly 450,000 tons of granite from the mountain. After the blasting was complete, the workers used a series of pulleys and cranes to move the excess rock out of the way.

3. Carving Process

The actual carving process began in 1927, after the site had been prepared. Borglum and his team used a process called “pointing,” in which small holes were drilled into the granite at regular intervals to follow the design.

The workers then used pneumatic drills to carve away the rock, with the most intricate details being carved by hand. It took nearly two years to complete the faces of Washington and Jefferson and another year to finish Lincoln’s face. Finally, it took another six and a half years to complete Roosevelt’s face.

During the carving process, Borglum constantly checked and re-checked the work to ensure that the faces were precisely as he had envisioned.

4. Finishing Touches

After the carving was complete, the faces were coated with a layer of white plaster to create a smooth surface. Once this was done, the final touches were added, including the details of the eyes, noses, and mouths.

Finally, workers sealed the surface of the monument with a layer of carborundum crystals, which created a smooth, polished look and helped to ensure that the monument would withstand the elements over time.

5. Public Presentation

Mount Rushmore was publicly presented on October 31, 1941, and it quickly became one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States. Though Borglum passed away before the monument was completed, his vision has been preserved for generations to come.

In 1991, a new museum and visitor center were opened at the site, providing guests with a comprehensive history of the monument’s creation and significance. Today, Mount Rushmore attracts millions of visitors each year from all over the world.

Overall, the creation of Mount Rushmore took approximately 14 years, with more than 400 workers playing a part in its construction. The monument remains an enduring symbol of American history and ingenuity.

Thank You for Reading, Come Back for More

I hope you enjoyed learning about the fascinating story behind Mount Rushmore and how it came to be. The history of this iconic national monument took decades to create, but the final outcome is a testament to the dedication and ingenuity of the construction team. Whether you’ve visited the site in person or not, now you know the incredible amount of time and effort it took to create this masterpiece. Thank you for taking the time to read this article, and please come back soon for more exciting historical stories.